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3500 Winehaus offers classic wine-bar fare too accompany its extensive selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Inside offers bistro seating and couches to lounge in or, when weather permits, oenophiles can indulge their pleasures on the patio. 3500 Winehaus' concise menu includes meat-and-cheese plates as well as sweet and savory cakes from Hank's Cheesecakes.

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4 Seasons Bakery in St. Charles, owned by Agi and Aaron Groff, specializes in pastries, pies and other baked goods. From their tiny storefront, the Groffs have been producing some of the finest pastry in the area, using only natural ingredients. Their macaroons and Linzer torte are rightly lusted after. But it's their pie we swoon for. The crust has achieved the perfect medium. The fillings, made from seasonal fruit, are good, too: sweet but not cloying.

Formerly known as The Stable, this bar/restaurant a shrine to great beer. There are two dozen brews on tap, most of which you won't find on draft or in bottles at other area bars. The list of bottled brew is as extensive as a fine restaurant's wine list. The menu features food that is primarily beer-friendly: pizzas, sandwiches and shared appetizers. The pizzas are good, with a soft-but-still-chewy crust. Here, sandwiches are known as "grinders" and include several loose-meat selections. In the late evening, local cover bands and blues acts grace the club's small stage; they sound great reverberating off the lofty ceilings.

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From a colorful storefront in downtown Kirkwood, Amigos Cantina offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as a few gringo favorites. Entrées include that Tex-Mex staple, fajitas. Tacos, burritos and quesadillas manage to bridge the gap between Americanized Mexican food and the real deal, and for a taste of taqueria cuisine, consider a torta, the traditional Mexican sandwich. The cheese dip, made from Monterey jack, is a thick, guilty pleasure.

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From its cozy storefront in the Central West End neighborhood, Audi-K's serves up more than 25 different kinds of hot dogs. Options include the Chicago dog (or, if you prefer, the St. Louis dog - with barbecue sauce, pickles and onions), the BLT dog and the restaurant's namesake dog, which features cream cheese dressing and grilled onions. Audi-K's also serves veggie dogs. Beyond the buns, Audi-K's offers nachos, salads and breakfast items including a breakfast burrito and a build-a-breakfast sandwich with the choice of bread and meat along with egg and cheese.

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Specializing in New York-style pizza, Bridge & Tunnel serves up a straightforward pizza menu with classic toppings and a few specialty toppings such as artichoke hearts and feta. Other items include calzones, stromboli and salads. The fast-casual setting offers downtown diners a quick lunch option before heading back to work or after catching a game. Weekend bar-goers can stop by for a bite to help soak up the alcohol -- Bridge & Tunnel stays open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Initially operating out of a commercial kitchen, Baby Cakes opened a modest storefront in early 2011 where patrons can stop by to grab their sweet treats. Some of the shop's offerings include double chocolate and the "redhead," a red-velvet cupcake. Baby Cakes also has a rotating schedule of cupcakes that includes turtle, lemon drop and peanut-butter banana. Early birds can enjoy breakfast cupcakes such as the vanilla-caramel latte and banana walnut. Baby Cakes' menu also features donuts, cookies and, for the truly indulgent, frosting shots.